Autonomous mining deal for Epiroc

Epiroc Pit Viper 271. Image: Epiroc

BHP, one of the world’s largest mining companies, has ordered a fleet of Pit Viper 271 blasthole drill rigs that will be used at its Western Australia Iron Ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The machines will allow BHP operators to supervise the autonomous, driverless operation from its integrated remote operations centre in Perth, located more than 1,100 km away.

The equipment order is valued at around MSEK 200 (US$18.2 million) and was booked in the fourth quarter 2024. Delivery of the equipment is expected to occur in the fourth quarter 2025.

“Our Pit Viper rigs have become synonymous with mining productivity and reliability, an extended machine life, and low total cost of ownership,” says Jose M Sanchez, President of Epiroc’s Surface division.

The order follows the recent renewal of a global frame agreement between Epiroc and BHP that involves Epiroc providing surface and underground equipment, parts and services to the mining company over several years.

The autonomous Pit Viper 351 and Pit Viper 271 machines are manufactured in the US. The Pit Viper 271 rigs also come with Epiroc’s Automatic Bit Changer solution, which allows for drill bits to be changed with a single touch of a button.